“Tommy’s”

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Restored two-bay stone vernacular dwelling facing SE. The left bay is single storey and thatched and the right bay is 1½ storey and slate. Both roofs are pitched. The only original material is the stone walling.

Left bay has scollop thatched roof of flax, eaves are wired, with concrete verge. The right bay has a natural slate roof with blue clay ridge tiles with a traditional skylight (cast-iron) in the front slope; skews raised in situ concrete; stone corbelled eaves course. There is a masonry chimney on the party wall. Half round metal gutters with downpipes to the gable end front and rear. Walls are unrendered and whitewashed.

Principal elevation faces into yard. The main entrance is in the centre of the left bay and has a painted t+g half door. To its right is a 3/3 sash (with a modern bulkhead light fitting to its left). The right hand bay has a 2/2 sash. All windows have exposed boxes and granite cills.

Left gable has a small 2/2 sash at right and bulkhead light at top left.

Rear wall has a small 2/2 sash at right with a gas regulator box below.

Right gable has a small 2/2 sash at first floor. Large boulder in front reads: “Hanna’s Close / Settled 1640/ Restored 1997.”

The roof timberwork has been replaced in traditional style.

Setting:
This is a prominent site overlooking the Kilkeel River. It is delineated by dry boulder granite walls, partly original, part rebuilt and part new. The few perimeter trees are of importance to the character of the site. Carriageways are paved in quarry dust/crushed shalestone and edged with granite kerbstones. Walkways are granite setts and the remaining open space is grass with small beds of flowers. There are a number of gates. Some are old, but those on the vehicular entrances are newly made to traditional designs. Each house has a specially designed cast metal plaque as part of the refurbishment.

Historical information

A building is shown on this site on the OS map of 1834, but it is not noted in the contemporary valuation. It is noted in the second valuation of 1863, however, because the valuers record it in the same lot as another dwelling close by, without distinguishing between the buildings, it is difficult to tell whether it was then occupied by Alexander or William Hanna, or whether it was rated at 5/- or £1.

References- Primary sources
1 PRONI VAL/1A/3/56 OS map, County Down sheet 56, with valuation
references, (1834-c.38)
2 PRONI VAL/2A/3/56 Revised OS map, County Down sheet 56, with valuation references, (1859-c.63)
3 PRONI VAL/2B/3/81G Second valuation, Kilkeel (1863)

Clachan shown on 1834 OS 6” map and subsequent editions.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
F. Structural System
H+. Alterations enhancing the building
J. Setting
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest

Evaluation

Restored two-bay stone vernacular dwelling facing SE.The left bay is single storey and thatched and the right bay is one and a half storey and slate. Forms part of an important vernacular grouping (clachan) in a relatively unaltered rural setting. Although restored, alterations are minimal.Of at least early 19th.C vintage though possibly much earlier.